Meet the Connector: Server Racks Server racks are framework structures that house and organize IT hardware components, including servers and interconnects. They are an essential element of data center design; beyond merely containing the equipment, their form and design can contribute to system cooling and performance. Server racks may take the form of cabinets or shelvesRead More

This week’s Product Roundup highlights high-speed connectors from leading connector manufacturers and suppliers. High-speed connectors The Amphenol R-VPX Evolution Series, available at PEI-Genesis, offers high-speed modules capable of 16+ Gb/s data rate transfers. The series supports the latest high-speed protocols while still meeting OpenVPX requirements. The R-VPX Evolution Series meets VITA 46 and 47 requirementsRead More

As data center infrastructures upgrade to transition to higher bandwidths, LPOs are emerging as a promising solution to enable faster, more energy-efficient, and cost-effective optical connectivity. A few days before the OFC 2025 optical networking conference, the LPO MSA (Linear Pluggable Optics Multi-Source Agreement) Group announced the completion of the 100 Gb/s per lane Linear Pluggable OpticsRead More

The world’s foremost microwave conference, the IMS symposium features everything from basic technologies to components to systems, including the newest 0.6 mm connectors, waveguides, and interconnect technologies. The IEEE MTT-S International Microwave Symposium is the world’s foremost conference covering RF through millimeter wave and terahertz. Microwave Week combines IMS with the IEEE RFIC Symposium andRead More

Rated boost current, in which short-term currents exceed the rated continuous current, reduces EV charging times. New innovations in contact technology make it a viable solution. By Joydip Sanyal, a Chartered Mechanical Engineer, Smiths Interconnect Expanding and updating the EV charging infrastructure to deliver ultrafast CCS (combined charging system), particularly along highways and in majorRead More

OSFP-XD pluggables are targeting AI applications in data centers, high-performance computing (HPC), and select telecom networks. Connectors designed to transfer information in and out of a server, switch, or router have long been recognized as a potential data bottleneck. Processing chips often spend half their time waiting to receive information necessary to function, resulting inRead More

Getting faster transmission through interconnects is not as simple as just turning up the speed with a dial. It requires adjustments to signal modulation and SerDes technology, as well as advancements in interconnectivity and IC packaging. Since networking equipment operating at 100G, 200G, and 400G total data rate per port has become ubiquitous, network systemRead More

At twice the speed of PCIe 6.0, the new specification supports AI, machine learning, data centers, and high-speed and high-performance computing across numerous application areas. The PCI-SIG (Peripheral Component Interconnect Special Interest Group) has released the PCI Express 7.0 (PCIe 7.0) specification to members, marking a major advancement in high-speed interconnect performance. Designed to meetRead More

Autonomy promises increased efficiency, safety, and sustainability to rail transport systems. Central to this transformation are connectors, which enable seamless data transfer between subsystems. From autonomous navigation and timetable updates to real-time diagnostics and predictive maintenance, these connectors are at the center of the intelligent infrastructure driving modern rail innovation. Worldwide rail operators are investingRead More

Cable backplanes have been a longtime feature of high-performance computing, undergoing several evolutions to keep up with speed and bandwidth requirements. However, as next-generation AI computing systems take hold, the practical limits of copper have been reached, pushing connector suppliers to create products that include optical solutions. Traditional backplane and daughtercard design has been aRead More

From data center interconnects and energy-efficient optical networks, this year’s show highlighted advances in coherent transmission systems, photonic integration for AI applications, and intelligent network automation that will reshape global connectivity. The 50th anniversary edition of the Optical Fiber Communication Conference and Exhibition reflected the enormous growth and enthusiasm for the future of optical networkingRead More

The interconnect industry’s biggest gathering celebrated its 30th anniversary this year. Technologist Bob Hult has attended every one of them. Here’s what captured his attention this year. DesignCon 2025 marked the 30th anniversary of this premier technical conference for designers of high-performance chips and printed circuit board systems. An increasing number of attendees are drawnRead More